Changing Over the EPLAN

Parts Database to SQL Server

EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG

Technical Information
Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

Copyright © 2017 EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................................................... 5
Notes for the Reader ......................................................................... 6
Requirements .................................................................................... 8
Changing over the parts database ....................................................... 9
Exporting the EPLAN parts database .............................................. 9
Setting the connection to the SQL Server ..................................... 12
Importing a parts database into the SQL database....................... 16

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 Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

Introduction
Dear users,
The team at EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG is pleased to
welcome you as a new user.

This document describes how you can change the EPLAN parts data-
base over to the Microsoft SQL-Server 2014. We are carrying out this
changeover using "EPLAN Electric P8" as an example. A corresponding
changeover is possible for the following program variants of the EPLAN
platform:
 EPLAN CPM
 EPLAN Education
 EPLAN Electric P8
 EPLAN Fluid
 Preplanning
 ProPanel
 EPLAN Trial

These instructions are intended for administrators who are already famil-
iar with EPLAN and who know how to configure an SQL Server.
Note:
We used the fully licensed program variant "EPLAN Electric P8" and the
SQL Server "Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express" when drawing up this
document. If you use a different variant or have not licensed all the mod-
ules for P8 or use a different Microsoft SQL Server version, the figures in
this documentation may possibly go beyond the scope of functionality of
the software you have purchased, that is, functions are also described
which are not available to you.

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
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Notes for the Reader

Before you begin reading, please note the following symbols and styles
used in this document:
Caution:
Text preceded by this image are warnings. You should be absolutely
sure to read this warning before proceeding!

Note:
Text preceded by this image contains extra notes.

Tip:
Useful tips to facilitate your interaction with the program are presented
after this image.

Example:
Examples are highlighted by this symbol.
 Elements of the user interface are identified by bold print, making
them easy to find immediately in the text.

 Italic text provides particularly important information that you should

definitely pay attention to.

 Code examples, directory names, and direct input (among other ele-
ments) are displayed in a non-proportional font.

 Function keys, keyboard keys, and buttons within the program are
shown in brackets (such as [F1] for the "F1" function key).

 To improve the flow of the text, we often use "menu paths" in this doc-
ument (for example, Help > Contents). In order to find a particular
program function, the menus and options shown in a menu path must
be selected in the sequence shown. For example, the menu path
mentioned above calls up the EPLAN help system.

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 Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

 The operating information provides step-by-step instructions for reach-

ing specific targets, and in many places, after the right-arrow symbol
you'll also find the reaction of the program to your action.

 In combination with settings or fields (e.g., check boxes) which can

only be switched on or off, in this document we often use the term "ac-
tivate" (after which the setting is active ) and "deactivate" (after
which the setting is inactive ).

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

Requirements
You require one of the following Microsoft SQL Server programs in order
to change the parts database over to an SQL Server:
Microsoft SQL-Server 2012 / 2014 / 2016 Express / Standard or Enter-
prise Edition.
More informations about the software requirements and approvals can
be found on the homepage
http://www.eplan.help/help/platform/2.7/en-US/help/EPLAN_Help.htm
You can find the topic Software Requirements and Approvals by clicking
on the NEWS on the start page and calling the chapter Other New Fea-
tures and Information.

Notes:
 Please note that you must have installed a Microsoft SQL Server
2012 / 2014 / 2016 in your company in order to change the parts data-
base. If this is not the case, contact your SQL system administrator.
 If you use the "SQL Server 2012 / 2014 / 2016 Express" version, you
must have installed the Management Studio Express as well in order
to manage the databases and users.
 For further information about the individual versions of the Microsoft
SQL Server operating system please refer to the Microsoft Internet
site.

If you do not have administrator rights on the SQL Server, please contact
your SQL system administrator. The rights are required in order to create
a database on the SQL-Server. You furthermore need the name of the
server and have to be set up as a user (with the corresponding pass-
word) on the SQL Server in order to establish a connection to the SQL
Server.

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 Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

Changing over the parts database

Before you begin to set up the EPLAN parts database on the Microsoft
SQL Server 2014, you first have to export the existing parts database as
an XML file. This procedure backs up the data and the tree configuration
of your parts database so that these can be transferred afterwards to the
new database of the SQL Server. Proceed as follows:

Exporting the EPLAN parts database

1. Start the EPLAN program variant you have used up to now (for ex-
ample EPLAN Electric P8).
2. Select Utilities > Parts > Management.
 The Parts management dialog opens.

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

3. Here select the [Extras] button and then the Export menu item.

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 Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

 The Export records dialog is opened. You have to export the ex-
isting data as an XML file.

4. Select the XML setting from the File type drop-down list.
5. Select Entire file and enter a name for the export file in the File
name field.

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

Note:
We recommend activating all the check boxes in the Part type and
Trade sections so that the parts database is exported completely.

6. Click [OK].
 The parts records are exported.

Setting the connection to the SQL Server

Caution:
In order to create a database with the EPLAN table structure on the SQL
Server you require administrator rights on the SQL Server for the follow-
ing steps. Please contact your SQL system administrator to this purpose.
Open the parts management in the EPLAN Electric P8 2.7 version.

1. Select Options > Settings > User > Management > Parts.

 The dialog Settings: Parts is opened.

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 Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

2. Select the SQL server option and click the New button in the SQL
Server line.

 The Generate SQL server database dialog is opened.

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

3. Enter the server name and the instance name of the SQL server in
the Server field.
4. Enter in the Database field the database name for the parts manage-
ment.

Caution:
Do not use hyphens in the name of the SQL database.

5. At Login select the variant specified by your SQL administrator.

Note:
You have two possibilities for logging on at an SQL Server:
"Windows authentication" uses the logon data of your Windows user
account.
If "SQL Server" is selected, you use a separate user name and pass-
word.
If a user for accessing the SQL server has not been set up yet,
please contact your SQL system administrator.

The option "Use SQL Server full text search" can only be used on
SQL systems on which the Advanced Services are also installed.

6. Confirm your settings in the Generate SQL server database dialog

by clicking [OK].
7. Confirm the dialog Settings: Parts with [OK].

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 Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
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 The database just created on the SQL Server is now opened.

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

Importing a parts database into the SQL data-

base
After you have successfully created a new database on the SQL Server,
import your "old" parts data structure as the next step. This was saved
beforehand in the form of an XML file (see the section "EPLAN parts data-
base" on Page 9).

1. Select Utilities > Parts > Management.

 The Parts management dialog opens.

1. Select [Extras] > Import.

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 Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

 The Import records dialog is opened. You have to import the exist-
ing data as an XML file.

2. Select the "XML" setting from the File type drop-down list.

3. Select the name of the XML file that you exported beforehand in the
File name section.

4. Click [OK].

 The parts records are imported.

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Parts Database to SQL Server
EPLAN Platform Version 2.7
Status: 05/2017

EPLAN Software & Service GmbH & Co. KG

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40789 Monheim am Rhein · Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 21 73 / 39 64-0
Fax: +49 (0) 21 73 / 39 64-25
Info@eplan.de · www.eplan.de

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